Most New Jerseyans perceive racism as a serious problem nationwide but do so to a lesser extent when it comes to the presence of racism in the Garden State, according to a Rutgers-Eagleton Poll. Eight in 10 respondents said racism in the United States is a “very serious problem” (44%) or “somewhat serious problem” (35%), while more than half feel the same about racism in New Jersey (14% “very serious,” 40% “a somewhat serious”). Three in 10 said the same about their city or town (8% “very serious,” 22% “somewhat serious”).

Results are from a statewide poll of 1,059 adults contacted through the probability-based Rutgers-Eagleton/SSRS Garden State Panel from Dec. 4 to Dec. 16, 2024. The sample has a margin of error of +/- 4.2 percentage points.